Led by the Dublin Mountain Partnership, the new five-year strategic plan provides a strategic framework to guide resourcing, inform decision-making and launch initiatives over the next five years. The DMP partners include Coillte, Dublin City Council, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and South Dublin County Council.
It includes a wide range of actions under four key themes:
1. Protect the Resource – Maintain and enhance the ecological integrity of the Dublin Mountains.
2. Provide for Recreation – Facilitate the active enjoyment of the Dublin Mountains through providing, maintaining, and managing infrastructure and services.
3. Partner for Success – Work with relevant stakeholders to align strategy, policy and funding, share expertise and expand resources to achieve the outcomes of the strategic plan.
4. Promote the Benefits – Promote the Dublin Mountains as a wonderful destination for recreation and learning about the outdoors, for both outdoor enthusiasts and the wider public.
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The new strategy builds on the work of the DMP over the past 14 years, which has seen €3.2 million invested to improve recreational facilities and access to the Dublin Mountains, including the development of the Dublin Mountains Way, Bike Tracks at Ticknock, Orientation Courses at four sites and much more. It resulted in the decision by Coillte to transition from commercial forestry to managing nine forests in the Dublin Mountains for biodiversity and recreation, known as the Dublin Mountain Makeover.
Launching the DMP Strategic Plan the Mayor of South Dublin, Councillor Emma Murphy said: "South Dublin County Council is delighted to support the DMP in ensuring that recreation within the Dublin Mountains is compatible with the conservation of natural, built and cultural resources and minimises impact on neighbouring resident communities and landowners."
The Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy commented: "The Dublin Mountains are hugely important as a recreational outlet for the citizens of Dublin City as well as visitors to the city. The mountains are one of the city's 'green lungs' and they will become increasingly important for biodiversity with the phased re-planting of native woodlands to replace former coniferous forest. Dublin City Council is delighted to be a partner in the launch of this new Strategic Plan, which will help us to meet our Climate Change mitigation targets."
Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, added: "The Dublin Mountains Partnership (DMP) is a fantastic initiative and I am delighted that the National Parks and Wildlife Service have been involved since its formation in 2008. Over 2000 hectares of lands in the DMP area are part of National Park and some are also designated as part of the Natura 2000 network of protected European Nature Conservation sites. This new strategy will guide the further promotion and provision of sustainable recreation opportunities in the Dublin Mountains, whilst ensuring the protection and restoration of these important habitats and biodiversity. It is a priceless natural resource on the doorstep of our capital city cherished and protected both now and for future generations."
